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Publisher's Summary

After participating in the Jacobite Rising of 1745, Robin and Prudence, brother and sister, become engaged in a swashbuckling, romantic adventure. Our hero and heroine must cross-dress and switch genders if they are to escape prosecution a humorous move that allows Heyer to explore the manners and language affectations of the period as the two romp through the elite saloons and clubs of London. But what the two don't foresee is that they might fall in love along the way: Prudence with the elegant and dashing Sir Anthony Fanshawe, and Robin with the charming Letitia Grayson. Can the two unmask themselves without losing their lives?

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

Anyone who has only read/heard Georgette Heyer's books set in the early 18thC, the years around Waterloo, will find everything about this one different. That goes for clothes to behaviour to even the language and forms of speech. I think this shows how skilled she was - 1746, the aftermath of Culloden, sits almost as close to Pepys, the Great Fire of London etc as it does to post-Waterloo and Ms Heyer brings us to a very different world. The plot involves an Adventurer and his son and daughter who have lived on their wits across Europe since the younger two's childhood. The brother and sister adopt cross-gender disguises to avoid arrest after the failure of the '45, but find themselves in the heart of London society (a society long before any thought of Almacks). Their father then stuns them by arriving in London very publicly, taking what to them is a very dangerous gamble. There is humour, but not as much as other books, there are sword fights, villains and highwaymen, and there are some well drawn characters in Prue (the sister), Sir Anthony, the seemingly indolent onlooker, and personally I love John, the manservant, who deserves a medal. My favourite scene, which is the reason I've read the book more than once over the years, is the denouement of my Lord's claim (no spoilers). I have to agree with the other reviewers though - the reading is never more than adequate but you do get used to it, after a slow start, as the book progresses.

I read some Georgette Heyer as a teenager but have rediscovered her 40 years later in audible books and am thoroughly enjoying. As a lighthearted respite amidst dark who dun its these stories are absolutely charming. I hate to sound rude about anyone who is obviously very adept at their job but I found the narrator was so wrong for this story that I nearly gave up after 10 minutes. Indeed I struggled for almost half of the story, I couldn't make out who was who - and when I could the voice seemed completely wrong for the character. Having said that this is an absolutely marvellous story (and a little bit different from the rather set Heyer pieces). Be warned about the narration but grit your teeth and buy anyway. At the end of the day you'll be glad you did!

I didn't enjoy this that much. I kept expecting the story to get better later but it never did. Also I didn't really care about the characters like other Heyer stories. This one just wasn't a winner for me. However the narrator's performance was brilliant which helped me endure to the end.

I've been an avid georgette Meyer reader since my teens and this book,though the plot has always seemed a little incredible, has always been one of my favourites. I didn't by it on audible for a long time because the reviews regarding the reader were not good but now having listened to the book I wish I had ignored the negative reviews,the book was a joy to listen to and beautifully read.Thank you Ruth

Do not let the first chapter put you off! I almost did, and would have missed an excellent audio book. Although I knew the story already, and liked it, I was really put off by the narrators voice and presentation for the first chapter and a half. Then I found I was caught up in the story and intrigue and never thought about it again. I could not put the thing down. The masquerades and characters of the two Merriots are so endearing that you just want it all to go well for them. When the "old gentleman" comes into it and takes over its smiles all the way. The dependable John watches over them all throughout saving the day more than once. Overall a very enjoyable listen!

This story, set just after Culloden, is not a Regency romance, but a Georgian romp about a pair of adventurers. At its heart is a gender swapping brother and sister who must avoid detection to evade those hunting down the Jacobite rebels, and to avoid setting Polite Society in an uproar whilst awaiting the outcome of their father's claim to being a long lost Viscount. The problem with the narration is that Ruth Sillers fails to offer much differentiation in the voices of the different characters, which can sometimes make what is already a rather involved story become very confusing. I must agree with a previous reviewer that Phyllida Nash would have been a better choice.

Thank you Naxos for another unabridged Georgette Heyer audio book. I was thrilled when I found this and "Venetia." Glad tidings for her legions of fans. Thank you Audible for making these available for your listeners.

This is a highly entertaining story with all the usual hallmarks that make Heyer's books so exceptionally wonderful. There is no one to match her clever plotting, vivid characters, witty dialogue, and humorous scenes

The narrator was perfect for the book. Her voice is clear and pure and captured Peter's (Prudence's) lovely personality, courage and loyal heart while handling the male characters with equal skill.

An exciting story set before the Regency, I highly recommend this delightful book.

23 of 24 people found this review helpful

barbara

United States

01/10/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Difficult to follow as an audio book"

If you were expecting to find the clever repartee of Heyer's usual dialogue you will be disappointed. This is more of a farce than a whimsical romantic comedy. I am delighted by most of Heyer's stories but this is a forgettable and confusing tale.

21 of 22 people found this review helpful

C. Telfair

Shepherdstown, WV, United States

13/11/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Swashbuckle City!"

Most of Georgette Heyer's best known romances are set in the fairly sedate English Regency period at the beginning of the 19th century, but "The Masqueraders" takes place a couple of generations before that. The Hanoverian King George I has recently defeated the Stuart line of Bonny Prince Charles, so the politics are more unsettled and dangerous at this point in time. The French Revolution is 50 years in the future, so English aristocrats still emulate their continental counterparts in lavish dress, speech, and exaggerated manners. Duels are common and pretty much tolerated in a fairly permissive society.

Add to this exotic setting a couple of young adventurers, Prudence and Robin, who assume gender-bending disguises to obscure their politically- and socially-suspect past. Confused prospective lovers, a couple of duels and carriage chases, and an oh-so-eccentric father add complications and hijinks galore.

The story and characters are alternately charming and frustrating, as is the somewhat antiquated language assumed by the author. I believe that Ruth Sillers does a wonderful job of presenting this hodgepodge of French-accented and mannered English without often resorting to an overly arch tone.

I still prefer the Regencies, but "The Masqueraders" does offer some memorable characters, stirring action sequences, and a change in style and tone.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Phyllis

Palm City, FL, United States

13/07/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Early Heyer not up to Later Works"

I don't especially like Georgette Heyer's early works compared to her more mature books, and I hesitated to buy this one when it became available. My low expectations were met. I might have liked it better, but I took an instant dislike to the narrator's reading, and it took me several attempts to get beyond the first couple of pages. My favorite character in the book is the twin's father, and unfortunately the narrator turned him into the buffoon. The narrator overall was annoying -- a little too sticky sweet, and actually hard to differentiate among the characters.

In fairness, I rank Heyer's mystery/adventure romance books like this one, Talisman Ring, The Toll Gate and others below her character-driven romances like Cotillion, Friday's Child, and The Unknown Ajax. But if you like a heavy dash of implausible adventure mixed with romance but with less depth of character and humor, this may be the book for you.

27 of 30 people found this review helpful

Carol

Massachusetts

13/09/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Lots of Flaws In This One"

Definitely not Heyer's best. Weird plot, with a brother and sister on the lam from British authorities because their father imprudently involved them in the Jacobite uprising of 1745. Sister Prudence is disguised as Peter while brother Robin dons petticoats as Kate.

Unlike "The Corinthian" and "These Old Shades," two other Heyer romances featuring young heroines who disguise themselves as boys, this one just made my eyes roll. I liked Prudence's swordplay and her romance with Sir Anthony, though both were over-the-top unbelievable. Robin's romance with the nitwit Letitia was totally absurd.

Add to that, I disliked "the Old Gentleman," the father whose actions and preemptory orders precipitate and drive the farce. His supposed charm was totally lost on me. The only real point of interest I found was Heyer's almost certainly unwitting but nevertheless accurate portrayal of a man suffering from what today would probably be diagnosed as mania, the "up" aspect of bipolar disorder. I suspect she may have modeled the Old Gentleman on someone she knew personally.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

mhc

02/09/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Story is a wonderful one. Very wrong narrator."

What disappointed you about The Masqueraders?

The narrator, you just want to strangle her. Grating, awful men's voice. The voice of the "old gentleman" is so bad. . . ouch.

What other book might you compare The Masqueraders to and why?

April Lady by same author. Good story (although not as good as The Masqueraders) but again a disappointing narrator. To check contrast, try listening to a bit of both versions of "The Convenient Marriage" the better narrator is Richard Armitage and although I dislike abridged versions of books, it was an easy decision to choose the more suitable narrator. I can grit my teeth only for so long.

How could the performance have been better?

Narrators/performers Richard Armitage, Cornelius Garrett, Michael Drew and Tony Britton would all have done the book more justice.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

A good book spoiled.

Any additional comments?

Please get someone else to narrate and I'll buy the book again.

24 of 28 people found this review helpful

Carol

20/05/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Georgette at her most delightful."

Any additional comments?

A masterful mix of plots, schemes and romance, including disguised siblings, abductions, lost heirs, and highwaymen, all orchestrated by the egocentric father of our disguised brother and sister. This unique Georgette Heyer offering, takes place not in her usual Regency Period, but an earlier time just after the Jacobite Uprising, and as a result is a less familiar background to most of us. I have read this novel many times over the years, and snapped it up in audio as soon as it appeared. I found it a delightful listening experience, and look forward to visiting with these old friends often in the future. Narrator Ruth Sillers is new to me, and I thought she did and excellent job of bringing each of these characters to life.

12 of 14 people found this review helpful

Amazon Customer

United States

09/05/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Romantic, funny romp"

The Masqueraders is set earlier in time than the Regency novels for which Heyer is best known. This fun romp of a book follows a brother and sister who had been involved in the unsuccessful "rising" of Bonnie Prince Charlie, and then and their father are now hiding with their lives at risk. Instead of fleeing to France, they change their appearance and hide in plain sight in the midst of fashionable London society. Sword fights, kidnapping, and plots of all sorts abound. This book is a lot of fun, closer in some ways to the Scarlet Pimpernel than to Jane Austen.

I had never listened to Ruth Sillers read a book before, but she does a great job of telling this story, making it easy to distinguish characters and capturing the feeling of the tale.

I highly recommend this!

20 of 24 people found this review helpful

M

NY, United States

16/05/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Classic Story. Wrong Narrator."

The story is a classic, and one of my favorite GH novels - I have read them all many times. It is set in the mid eighteenth century rather than the typical regency period of the early nineteenth, which is a nice change. As always, it is full of romance and wit and comedy, with sumptuous descriptions of the characters, the locations and the clothing.

However, I think the narrator, although very good, was the wrong choice for this audiobook. Her voice is wonderfully clear, but very young and feminine sounding. In my opinion, she was unable to make any of the male characters sound even remotely authentic. Particularly the male lead, who is described as a "mountain" - her teenage girl sounding voice just did not fit the visual image. In addition, I did not care at all for her characterization of Lord Barham - she made him sound like a ringleader performing in a circus. Yes, he is described as being bombastic and conceited, but her narration was just way too over the top for me. Also, she made the villains of the story all have very nasal voices, which made me think of Snidely Whiplash of the cartoons. Just too unrealistic, particularly since the character Letitia was initially supposed to have been in love with one of them. Not likely with THAT voice!

But despite my disappointment regarding the narrator, I still recommend it - absolutely ANYTHING written by Georgette Heyer is worth listening to!

24 of 30 people found this review helpful

Cam

Las Vegas, NV, United States

14/06/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Wonderful"

I find that sometimes there are parts to each book by GH that I find unnecessary to have been mentioned since they add nothing to the story. In addition, this book does not explain how the father knew certain details at the end when being questioned for verifying his identity. The story also lacks in passion, which is a GH signature. None of these issues just mentioned, however, will make me reduce my rating from a 5 star. This is wonderfully written book and very well developed characters. The story is so very funny in parts especially when considering the brother dressed as a woman and flirting outrageously with the men when he is in love with a woman. There were some absolutely hilarious moments. I highly recommend this book.

12 of 15 people found this review helpful

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